Mosquito : The RAF’s Legendary Wooden Wonder and its Most Extraordinary Mission

‘Captivating’ Daily Telegraph’Stunning’ James Holland’Superb’ Daily Express’Wonderful’ John Nichol’Remarkable’ RAF NewsBuilt of lightweight wood, powered by two growling Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, impossibly aerodynamic, headspinningly fast and armed to the teeth, the de Havilland Mosquito was the war-winning wonder that should never have existed: the aircraft the RAF didn’t think it wanted then couldn’t do without. Flying on operations barely eighteen months after a single prototype was ordered off the drawing board, it was the answer to its pilots’ prayers: a stunningly versatile warplane capable of leaving the Luftwaffe in its wake to attack when and where the enemy was least expecting it. Excelling as a spyplane, night-fighter and pathfinder for Bomber Command’s heavies the Mossie’s reputation was cemented by a series of daredevil bombing raids across occupied Europe, including on Berlin itself, where only surprise, speed and precision could ensure success. So when Churchill’s top secret Special Operations Executive needed to destroy the Gestapo HQ in the centre of downtown Copenhagen to prevent a devastating Nazi last stand that might prolong the war for many months, there was only one machine for the job. This is the story of that legendary aircraft told through that one impossible mission. Like Rowland White’s previous books, Mosquito is an unputdownable mix of utterly compelling storytelling, incredible human stories and fascinating technological detail, which sheds never-before-told light on a pivotal mission that helped bring the war to its bloody and brutal close. Praise for Mosquito’10/10′ Helen Fry’Excellent … provides thrilling accounts’ The Past’A brilliant read’ Army Rumour Service Book Club’A triumph’ Damcasters podcast’A tremendous book … can’t recommend it more highly’ We Have Ways podcast’An addictive, moving and tenaciously researched tale … his best book to date’ Flypast’Mosquito reads like a thriller… Unreservedly recommended’ Aviation Historian’It’s like the best adventure stories except this one is the real thing’ Best of British’A fascinating insight into one of the aircraft’s most dramatic episodes’ History of War’White immerses the reader in the action from the first page … a must read’ Flight International’Thrilling… A multi-layered, painstakingly assembled narrative… an instant classic’ Warships IF